Crocodile Bay Resort Eco-Adventures – Cross-Country Mountain Biking 

Do you love mountain biking on your active vacation? Then lucky you because Crocodile Bay Resort offers guided cross-country mountain biking on our beautiful Osa Peninsula with ample amounts of trails to explore for both the beginner and the advanced rider alike.

See the Osa Peninsula countryside close-up and personal on our new Trek Mountain Bikes. The casual rider will experience the rolling hills and flatlands as they meander along the back country roads past fruit farms, quiet rivers, rustic casitas and local ranches. More advanced riders can explore the steeper terrain leading to commanding ocean views. A Crocodile Bay support vehicle will take you directly to the best spots and can also drive you up to the higher points for the sheer thrill of a downhill run. Regardless of which trek you choose, numerous opportunities exist to see exotic wildlife such as monkeys, sloth, toucans, & scarlet macaws in the rainforest with Crocodile Bay.

Cross-country mountain biking is a fun way to explore the beautiful Osa Peninsula and not just for Crocodile Bay’s guests. For the past three years in the month of February, the non-profit development organization of Corcovado and Carate (ADI) organize an eco-cross-country mountain biking event called “Ecocleteada Corcovado”. This event attracts riders from all over the country. The organization chooses three different routes, a beginner or “easy” route (violet), a longer more challenging route (blue), and finally the red route which is the most advanced of all. Mountain biking is becoming more and more popular on the Osa Peninsula, as visitors realize the near endless options of mountainous trails and beautiful scenery.

Join us at Crocodile Bay for your next vacation and ask us about arranging your mountain biking adventure.

We are blessed with amazing people at Crocodile Bay Resort and our customers tend to come back year after year as they feel that our staff treats our guests as if they are part of the family.

Arriving at the resort after the 45-minute scenic trip by air from San Jose, our guests are greeted with our famous all-natural local fruit welcome drinks, which is certainly an amazing treat. Anyone who has ever been to Crocodile Bay knows our resort team “mother” and amazing host Olimpia. Yaisa, a local Puerto Jimenez born young woman has assisted our front desk staff for 3 and a half years now. Our newer front desk staff members Lea, Sharon and Meyson joined in 2018 and are always happy to help you arrange transportation, a tour, Spa appointment, or solve any other questions for you.

Out of our many excellent reviews on Tripadvisor most guests write amazing feedback on our staff, such as Nicole F. who wrote: “As soon as we walk in the door, we were greeted with a smile and a hug! The employees that work at Crocodile Bay are just like family.” Wendy A. wrote: “Most of the incredible staff knew our names by the second day! We chose this resort because of the fishing they offer but quickly learned there is MUCH MORE to this resort.”

We hope to welcome you soon at Crocodile Bay, with a fruity welcome drink and a big smile.

Crocodile Bay Resort – Costa Rica Fishing Report

Catch all the action from last month – Watch the January 2018 Crocodile Bay Resort highlight reel!

Greetings from the Tropics – January 2019 Fishing Report

January historically is a transitional month. The marlin and dorado in November and December begin to taper off and the water temperature rises slightly with sailfish numbers increasing. This month has been basically true to form, though we are still waiting for the big push of sails. There have been some very good days with the sailfish so far this season, including a ten fish release day from one boat. As of yesterday, we are still seeing a few marlin, but the main body of sailfish have yet to arrive.

One of the great things about the fishery here is the diversity and as is often the case, when one thing slows, something else usually rises to take its place. In the last two weeks, we have had some excellent yellowfin tuna fishing.  Big schools of spinner dolphins have been in the area and are feeding voraciously on small baitfish with hungry tuna mixed in. The action has been relatively close (around ten miles) and has even allowed boats that are fishing inshore to run out and bag a few tuna when the opportunity arrives. Such was the case with the groups of Chris Pott and Roy Marlow and Tom Potts and Tim Watson, both visiting from the UK. They are light tackle enthusiasts who brought much of their own tackle and enjoy jigging and popping.  When the call came over the radio, that the tuna were biting, both groups ran out to get in on the action. Roy hooked up on a sixty-pound yellowfin tuna that was a mere twenty feet from the boat before a very big marlin came up and nearly grabbed it. The action was steady and most of the fish were caught on butterfly jigs and poppers. When the day ended both groups had landed thirteen and fourteen tuna, respectively, and almost all on artificials. 

I would like to mention a couple highlights from this month. We had a visit from Mark Davis filming an episode of ‘BigWater Adventures’. Mark did a show on inshore fishing and caught multiple fish, including eight different species. He landed a couple of bluefin trevally that he said he had never caught on camera before. Mark, and his cameraman Phil told me they were excited about the show and said it would really showcase some of the fish varieties we have here. 

Another person I would like to mention is Mike Walton who was just here for an extended stay. Mike likes to relax on vacation and doesn’t rush from one activity to the next. Some days he is very active battling 15 mile jungle hikes with the staff “for fun” and other days he is in no hurry to do much of anything other than enjoy the coastal “pura vida lifestyle.” I think that is great. One of the things that Mike does like to do while he is here is to fish off the pier and he usually has pretty good luck. This trip was no exception. I ran into Mike one afternoon at the pier while I was waiting for the boats to come back in. He told me he had seen this big roosterfish cruising back and forth at the pier and he was trying to catch him. I got busy with the other guests and then went up to the hotel. A little while later I saw Mike with a huge smile on his face. He said “did you hear what happened? I hooked him and he took off for the moorings. Captain Anthony started up his boat and I jumped in” The fish almost broke off a couple times, but I finally got him. Forty pounds!”  Congratulations Mike.

February is usually the month when the sailfish come here in numbers. Judging from all the bait that the dolphins and tuna are feeding on, I believe we are primed to have a great month.  The weather has been absolutely fantastic with clear sunny days and light tropical breezes. If you are facing an incoming “Arctic blasts”, you might want to head down and see us. The arctic blast is much more fun to experience from the tropics than they are in person. 

Tight Lines,

Capt. Allan Smith

Chris Graham

Book Your Costa Rica Fishing Adventure of a Lifetime at Crocodile Bay Resort Today!

Whale Shark Season – Now Until May

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) have a history of visiting the waters around the Osa Peninsula from January through to May. 

Whale sharks are the largest of all sharks, and indeed the largest of any fish alive today. They feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.

The maximum size of whale sharks is not known but could be as large as 20m. Females give birth to live young but this has never been observed. Where pupping occurs and where the youngest animals situate remains a mystery, as they are very rarely found. Adults are often found feeding at the surface but may dive to 1000m.

Seeing these amazing creatures in the protected waters of the Golfo Dulce, and off the coast of the Osa Peninsula, is a treat. 

No other resort on the Osa Peninsula can offer you a more complete range of water adventures on both the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce. Our privately owned fleet is the largest in all of Central and South America. The fleet includes Boston Whaler 250 Outrages (24’ and 25’ center consoles) and Strike Yachts (33’ and 35′ tower boats) that are easily accessed from our 800-foot private pier. This means that you will have the opportunity to explore places on the water that no one else can take you. Just take a short walk down to our pier and off you go on an ocean safari of your choosing. 

Come explore the waters off the Osa Peninsula with Crocodile Bay Resort and be amazed at what nature has designed.

Image Source: Lightgalleries.net

From left to right: Eco-guides Jose, Diego, and Dennis (Director of Expeditions)

No other resort on the Osa Peninsula offers such a complete range of adventures both on the ocean and in the rainforest. Each unforgettable experience is carefully planned and overseen by Dennis Atencio, Director of Expeditions. Dennis is certified within the Osa Peninsula Conservation Area (ACOSA) by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) as an Ecological Guide. Joining Dennis are Diego and Jose, who are both certified ICT naturalist guides for the southern zone of Costa Rica.

All three guides are also avid birders, who can not only show you the colorful array of birds that we have here on the Osa Peninsula, but they can mimic a lot of their calls as well. 

Dennis and his full-time staff will safely bring you as close to nature as you wish to get. Expeditions have been expertly crafted within four distinct habitats with all skill levels in mind. Ride in comfort in our beautiful new Mercedes-Benz 4×4 as you shuttle from one eco-adventure to another. From white-knuckle thrills to awe-inspiring sightseeing – there’s so much to explore with Crocodile Bay on the Osa Peninsula. 

Zip-Line through the Osa Peninsula with Crocodile Bay Resort 

Crocodile Bay Resort is where elite anglers come to discover some of the best inshore and offshore sport fishing experiences in the world. But if you don’t fish, don’t worry because it is also here that families and friends can experience an array of eco adventures and expeditions. And in 2019 Crocodile Bay will add a tackle box full of new possibilities and experiences.

At Crocodile Bay you will find over 30 different rainforest and ocean expeditions with certified experts as part of our in-house staff. Tours include canopy zip lining, horseback riding, surfing, botanical garden & animal sanctuary tours, snorkeling, and whale watching just to mention a few of the guided excursions available!

Canopy exploration has evolved to become one of the fastest growing and most sought after activities in the rainforest; and we are proud to offer one of the safest and most exciting canopy tours available in Costa Rica. A 17-acre tract of virgin forest called Miramar or “ocean view” makes for the ideal site for trekking through the canopy. The commanding view of the Golfo Dulce and the surrounding rainforest is sure to take your breath away! Flying through the canopy in the daytime enables you to witness an array of colors only seen from above.

But since half of all that lives in the rainforest is active at night, one can also revel in the exotic sights and sounds of the jungle, as seen when lit by the stars.. The day and a night zip-line adventure affords adrenaline seekers a completely different and unique experience not to be missed.

Click here to learn more.

Crocodile Bay Resort – Costa Rica Fishing Report January 2019

Catch all the action from last month – Watch the December 2018 Crocodile Bay Resort highlight reel!

Offshore from The Osa Peninsula

 

In the waters off the Osa Peninsula, where the marlin action continues, we have had blue marlin being released almost every day in December. The strikingly beautiful blue marlin is the largest of the Atlantic marlins and one of the biggest fish in the world. The sailfish have been here in solid numbers and have been keeping the anglers busy in between marlin bites. The insane dorado (mahi-mahi) action that started in November, and lasted through most of December, has finally started to slow. Our boats are still seeing plenty of dorado both inshore and offshore, but not in the crazy numbers we saw earlier in the month. We actually had people telling their captains not to catch any more dorado and to ignore them if they came into the spread. I can remember only one other dorado bite like this before, but it was over ten years ago.

 

The tuna have slowed a little bit, but it is possible that with all the marlin around, they have been keeping their distance.  One or two of our boat captains have been lucky enough to find the tuna in the last few weeks but they are not currently here in numbers. That can change in a heartbeat and I expect things will change as we move into the new moon.   

 

Inshore along the coast of the Osa Peninsula

 

The inshore fishing has been a little less consistent than the offshore fishing, but anglers willing to put in their time have been rewarded with some very nice roosterfish. There was some fantastic surface action going on last week in front of the Crocodile Bay pier as schools of big jacks and roosterfish moved in and absolutely hammered the sardines. Several anglers managed to catch some bruiser fish on topwater with live bait just outside the anchorage. There was even an estimated sixty-pound roosterfish, that was hooked from our pier on light tackle, and that was fighting for over thirty minutes while one of our captains jumped in to help with his boat.

 

The fishing around Mato Palo and the rocks have been yielding some snappers, African pompano and a lot of bluefin trevally. The dorado have also been prevalent inshore and depending on how many you’ve already caught offshore, are either a curse or a blessing. 

Tight Lines,

Capt. Allan Smith

Chris Graham

Book Your Costa Rica Fishing Adventure of a Lifetime at Crocodile Bay Resort Today!

Join two internationally recognized wildlife photographers for an intensive week-long jungle photo safari! The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse locations on our planet and this photo workshop will focus on getting you close to the action for the best possible images.

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Crocodile Bay Resort – 2018 Fishing Highlight Reel

Watch the 2018 Crocodile Bay Resort highlight reel!

Do you see yourself in our 2018 fishing highlight video? Then click here to receive a complimentary night for your next stay with Crocodile Bay Resort in 2019. 

Crocodile Bay Resort is where elite anglers come to discover some of the best inshore and offshore sport fishing experiences in the world. But if you don’t fish, don’t worry because it is also here that families can experience an array of eco adventures and expeditions. And in 2019 Crocodile Bay Resort will usher in the new year with a tackle box of new possibilities and experiences.

At Crocodile Bay Resort you will find over 30 different rainforest and ocean expeditions with certified experts as part of our in-house staff.  Tours include canopy zip lining, horseback riding, surfing, waterfall repelling, botanical garden & animal sanctuary tours, snorkeling, sport fishing and whale watching just to mention a few of the guided excursions available! Recently we have also added private photography tours, a new sunset cruise on a 100ft party boat, and a local off-site beach party location for dancing and evening fun.  

Ride in comfort in our beautiful new Mercedes-Benz 4×4 as you shuttle from one eco adventure to another and your refreshments will stay cool and fresh in our new Yeti coolers, which are now used for all our tours. Don’t forget to visit our gift shop where you will find a colorful new lineup from Salt Life Apparel. 

As you tackle the inshore and offshore fishing at Crocodile Bay Resort, enjoy some of the new Penn international rods and reels that have arrived, and test your fishing strength against the big boys of the sea. Or, if you opt for relaxation instead, visit the only fully equipped luxury spa on the Osa Peninsula right here at Crocodile Bay Resort. It offers a wide variety of organic rainforest treatments from Deluxe Hot Chocolate Wraps to a Coconut Polish and Swedish Massage. The range of treatments and relaxation is unparalleled and unmatched anywhere on the Osa! 

If you appreciate unique dining, we have a new Pura Vida Vino Club. This is your opportunity to experience a private dinner prepared by Executive Chef Maikol Chavez and his culinary team. Just imagine a four-course dinner paired with carefully selected wines to match the cuisine.  Bon Appetit! And after the success of our outdoor barbeques, we are now adding poolside dinning twice a month in order that you can enjoy your dinner under the stars. 

Enjoy our 2018 video where we highlighted the best shots of Costa Rica’s offshore species, not to mention the team work of our captains and mates who are able to cater to all skill levels. If you see yourself in our 2018 video highlights, simply let us know, and we will reward you with a free upgrade to a strike tower boat on your next 2019 trip to Crocodile Bay Resort. You can also go to our monthly Fishing Report page on the website ( https://www.crocodilebay.com/fishingreport/ ) and check out 2 years of fishing highlights to help you select the time frame of your next fishing experience here in Costa Rica! 

Watch our February 2018 fishing highlights:

Watch our March 2018 fishing highlights:

 Watch our April 2018 fishing highlights:

Book Your Costa Rica Fishing Adventure of a Lifetime at Crocodile Bay Resort Today!

All of us at Crocodile Bay are fortunate to have met so many incredible guests, friends and adventure seekers this year from all around the globe.

From our family to yours, we want to thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life and for choosing to visit us in this very magical corner of the world.  

We would like to wish you all a muy Feliz Navidad.

A very Merry Christmas to all.

Crocodile Bay Resort – Costa Rica Fishing Report December 2018

Catch all the action from last month – Watch the November 2018 Crocodile Bay Resort highlight reel!

Another exciting season is upon us and it has started off with a bang! November began with a great Dorado run and the boats were releasing up to thirty Dorado a day. Logs, barrels, tree stumps and current lines were all holding fish. Boats would troll around until finding the structure, then stop and put out live baits. They hooked doubles, triples and even up to five at a time. Continue Reading

No other resort on the Osa Peninsula can offer you a more complete range of water adventures on both the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce.

Our privately owned fleet is the largest in all of Central and South America. The fleet includes Boston Whaler 24’ center consoles and Strike Yachts 33’ and 35′ tower boats that are easily accessed from our 800-foot private pier. This means that you will have the opportunity to explore places on the water that no one else can take you. Just take a short walk down to our pier and off you go on an ocean safari of your choosing. 

The Golfo Dulce is rich with volcanic reefs, crevices and caves that have become breeding grounds for a staggering variety of marine life. It is also here that you will find one of only four tropical fjords in the world. The gulf is where humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres gather to breed and teach their calves to swim; a true phenomenon! 

Let us take you to the other side of the gulf where we can drop you off with one of our experienced nature guides and from this point you can kayak your way back to the Crocodile Bay pier while searching for dolphins, turtles and whale sharks and humpback whales when in season. Not to mention your ability to observe so many other varieties of marine creatures that live in the safe confines of the Golfo Dulce. 

The aquatic adventure that awaits you on the Pacific Ocean is as limitless as the horizon itself. With only your board as your witness, you can ride the legendary Pavones surf break, a tubular ride of almost a mile—the second longest left-hand wave in the world. Enjoy lunch on board including cold drinks from our Yeti coolers, and relax before you challenge Pavones surf.

Image Source: Distressedmullet.com

Our experienced boat captains can take you to do any adventure you seek on the water, including kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, wake-boarding, dolphin and whale watching, and wildlife viewing at a secluded animal sanctuary and rescue center which is only accessible by boat.

Crocodile Bay Resort’s fleet of boats will meet your desires for exploring places that no other hotel on the Osa Peninsula can take you to.